My apologies for being late in getting the newsletter out. Seems like around October events for both the club and personally rev up throwing regular schedules off.
Also, please do read all of the newsletter. There are some special reports after the Program description. The Installation Banquet award recipients are listed which I should have done right after the banquet. Plus there is a synopsis of the 2024 Pumpkin Dash race which happened this past weekend.
Rick opened the meeting, noting Glen's son Darren came as a visitor.
REPORTS:
Rick reported on the status of the upcoming Pumpkin Dash race for October 19th. We have about 40 runners signed up. Goodie bags for the runners are being packed up at Jesse's bank, Sunflower, on Friday at 3:00 p.m. More volunteers are needed at 6:30 on Saturday to help with set up for the race. The race starts at 8:00 a.m. with awards probably being given out by 9:15. An additional white table is needed so if you have one, please loan it for the event.
Camp clean up started out with some excitement when a skunk was found in the storage shed. Lon said he has never seen such a group of "Karen's" when the shed door was opened to reveal the "polecat" within. It sounds like the "Karen's" were in a dither about what to do. Finally, the skunk went on its way without spraying anyone. A bunch of "Karen's" must have addled the skunk's brain so it could not react like it normally would. Crisis averted. All was well. Camp was cleaned up.
An annual Interclub meeting is scheduled for Nov. 26th.
Where: River City Grille (North of Marble Falls Bridge)
When: Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Time: Noon Price: $10.00
RSVP: Kathy van Eeten Email katvan55@gmail.com/Phone 512-657-1699
Kelli recommended carpooling.
Key Club meeting day was changed for this week and will be on Monday, Oct. 21st. Kristi is attending.
Pancake Day is scheduled for Dec. 21st. Billy will be Santa Claus this year. The meal will begin at 7:30 a.m. and run to 11:30 a.m. The times were based on attendance stats from last year.
Rhonda took in Butter Braid orders and payment although she does not need payment until the orders are delivered at the Nov. 14th meeting. If you were not at today's meeting and want to order, you may do so either online or send Rhonda your order either through email or text and she will take care of it. Oct. 21st is the deadline. Due to the lateness of the newletter, that means today if you are reading this on the 21st!
PROGRAM:
Kristin introduced today's speakers, Lisa Vaquera and Brian Blair from "Kissing Tree." Lisa was the first to speak which is appropriate since she is the first person visitors to the community will see. "Kissing Tree" is the first over 55 age community the developer/builder Brookfield Residential has created although they have been designing developments all over the country. Their goal is to have 2800-3200 homes built by 2033. The number of amenities is amazing with over 65 clubs and activities offered. As Lisa said, "No reason to say there is nothing to do." People from around the world choose to buy there as have generational family members. Armed security at the entry provides a safety factor which many appreciate.
Brian spoke next about the home building aspect. He said it takes 9-10 months to complete a home. The cost starts in the $300,000's for the smallest home elevation. There are 4 to 5 elevations to choose from with different home styles. It is not a cookie cutter development where you see your home a few houses down on the same street. Lot choicess are 40, 50, and 60 foot wide depending on home size. There are HOA dues but what you receive in return in amenities is incredible.
Lisa and Brian gave out a prize of a meal for two at the Kissing Tree restaurant for anyone who knew why it is called "Kissing Tree." Glen won by knowing there was an oak tree under which Sam Houston kissed the cheeks of three ladies who had made a flag for him in 1857 when he was stumping to become governor.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
Oct. 24th: Greg Wurzbach German Club
Oct. 31st: Surprise Halloween Speaker
EVENTS:
Oct. 29th: Kissing Tree Vendor Fair. 1:00-4:00 Be there early if you want to help set up.
Oct. 31st: Trunk or Treat at San Marcos Police Dept. 5:30-8:30.
Please bring a bag of treats to meetings through Oct. 31st. They will be handed out at the event. Thank you!
Pumpkin Dash Race 2024
And they are off. Beautiful morning. SM Volunteers for Pumpkin Dash
Key Club volunteers with Ricky at Pumpkin Dash Race (Photo courtesy of Veronica)
It was a beautiful, cool morning for the 2024 Pumpkin Dash Race on Oct. 19th. Medical Explorers were in attendance to help out with any mishaps. Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of their group. Key Club members helped with check in and any other duties as assigned.
There was a wide range of ages among the runners with many young school age kids finishing the race in the first group of ten. I did not have the opportunity to ask parents for permission to post their children's photos online so their pictures are not included.
Rick said he had many positive responses from runners for our first race at La Cima. Rick sent out a "thank you" to all Kiwanis members who helped. There are many moving parts to putting on a race.
Speical thanks to sponsors: La Cima, Ozona Bank, Ault and Ault Orthodontics, McCoys, Muzzy Property Group, Frost Bank, Poco Loco, Corridor Landscaping, and Carothers Family Dental.
Awards given out at Installation Banquet on Sept. 20th.
New Honorary Members
Del Brown and Andrew Gary
They join our other Honorary members Paul Sutphen, McBride Wilson and Steve Whigham. They all are receiving a Commemorative Award designed by Lon Shell.
Perfect Attendnce Awards
Kristi Dame Luanne Johns
Moe Johnson Rick Pickering
Jesse Ramos Jennifer Richmond
Dr. Glen M. Rydl Lon Shell
Rhonda White Kelli Whigham
Kiwanis Legion of Honor Awards
Gary Nelson for 45 years of continuous service to Kiwanis.
Dr. Glen M. Rydl for 50 years of continuous service to Kiwanis.
Service Excellence Awards
Lon handed out caps designed with a new Kiwanis logo and the recipient's name to the following members "who have been leaders in carrying out events and tasks necessary for our club to serve youth and our community."
I am including Lon's comments for each member's accomplishments.
Moe Johnson:
Moe assisted or headed up the following committees and events.
Scholarship committee
Pumpkin Dash – laid out course
Interclub meetings to Marble Falls and Kyle
Worked with Rick and Lon in repairing the Vet parade float
Worked on the Honor Tree at camp
Membership committee – inducted new members
Served on Kiwanis Board
Perfect Attendance
Attended almost every event
Moe and Jesse coordinate our activities with Chamber of Commerce
Kristi Dame:
Kristi and new member Emily Sousa conducted the first – what we hope will be an annual - Good Citizenship Summer Camp conducted at McBride Wilson Youth Camp on Blanco River.
Kristi and her husband helped us to get the new Welcome Road Sign hoisted up on the concrete base on Highway 123.
She served on the Kiwanis board.
Served on Membership and Flag Committees.
Was one of the sponsors of the Clay Shoot.
Perfect attendance to club meetings.
Rhonda White:
Posted the calendar on Web page and announced birthdays and anniversaries monthly at club meetings.
She made or arranged for dessert to honor these events – Kelli helped in these also.
She made the desserts for this Banquet
Rhonda, Beverly and Kelli obtained most of the sponsors for the Clay Shoot. They organized and conducted the Clay Shoot.
She helped Kelli organize the Hay Ride at La Cima.
Participated in the decorating Float and riding in parade.
Perfect Attendance
Attended almost every Kiwanis Event throughout the year.
Kelli Whigham:
Kelli was the Previous San Marcos Kiwanis President and has initiated some, organized most and worked in all Kiwanis events this year. When I needed help and advice on an issue I called on Kelli.
Kelli and her husband Honorary Member Steve administer all Mc Bride Wilson youth camp reservations requests.
Kelli designed the Banquet Program as she did last year. She along with Rhonda did most of the work in organizing – getting caterer – and set up –
working with Mary Jo of Methodist Church for this Banquet.
She provided me with most of the pictures used in the Power Point.
Kelli helps to solicit sponsors for most of our money raising events including Pumpkin Dash,
Flags and Clay Shoot.
She arranged for the Hay Ride and Vendors Table at Kissing Tree.
She chaired the Program Committee in making sure we had excellent speakers for each club meeting.
Kelli is a San Marcos Kiwanis Board Member.
Jesse Ramos:
Jesse has revitalized our club with his enthusiasm for getting new Club members.
Jesse is chair of our Membership Committee and was instrumental in helping us recruit a majority of our new members.
He is on the Board and his Bank Sunflower provide the facilities to hold our board meeting each month.
His bank provides us with the popular Photo Booth we have at many of our events.
He and Moe work very closely with the Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to Membership Jesse is on the Clay Shoot, Flags, Pumpkin Dash, Vet parade, club socials and interclub committees.
Rick Pickering:
Rick has done it all this year.
Rick came to our Club from Allen approximately two years ago where he was a Kiwanis member.
He has brought a new vitality to our club with his experiences in events conducted in the Allen Kiwanis Club.
With his leadership and input we reinitiated our Pancake Day which we have not held for some years.
He also revised our Flag Program.
Ricks picture is in most all of our events. Not only did he attend the event he helped organize and conduct many of them including doing much of the
maintenance work at our youth camp.
He has been my right hand man and I am excited to turn the leadership of the club over to him.
Kiwanian of the Year
Jennifer Richmond
Jennifer served as Secretary of the Club. A lot of the work she does is behind the scenes but if any of you have been a Kiwanis Secretary they are what makes the wheels turn. In fact, Dr Rydl and Beverly Crumley who have served as Club Secretaries will tell you how critical and time consuming this officer's job is.
I cannot name or identify all the responsibilities she has but I can tell you that if there was a question about Club business with Kiwanis International – she solved it.
You noticed she presented most of the Kiwanis Awards. She did the research, kept the records, and ordered the pins and certificates.
In addition to her officer responsibilities, including keeping minutes at the board meetings, she is the editor of the Club Newsletter. It is an excellent
newsletter.
She was chair of the Community Support committee. She with the members of her committee awarded $2500.00 to nine San Marcos Organizations. Those who serve on that committee can attest to the research and work involved to receive the applications, communicate to each committee member , obtain their vote and come up with a consensus to present to the
board for their approval.
She is also the club's Historian and collects materials to put in the History section on our Web page.
And that, dear readers, is the end of this newsletter. If you made it this far, my heartfelt thanks. Following is the absolute ending.
Regular Reminders:
Don't forget to click "like" and "share" on Facebook and other social media to promote the Kiwanis Club. We need to keep getting the club's name out there to promote our community involvement and to add new members to help in our endeavors.
Be sure to check the Calendar posted on the San Marcos Kiwanis Club website to stay up-to-date on what is happening.
Humor and Musings:
What do runners do when they forget something? They jog their memory.
Why do joggers run early in the morning? They want to finish before their brain figures out what they're doing.
"Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud." Helen Dyer
bring a guest to an upcoming meeting!
